cardiovascular-agents and Thrombophilia

Atrial fibrillation is a frequent complication in the perioperative period. When it appears there is an increased risk of perioperative morbidity due to stroke, thromboembolism, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, anticoagulation haemorrhage, and hospital readmissions. The current article focuses on the recommendations for the management of perioperative atrial fibrillation based on the latest Clinical Practice Guidelines on atrial fibrillation by the European Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Cardiology. This article pays special attention to the preoperative management, as well as to the acute perioperative episode. For this reason, the latest recommendations for the control of cardiac frequency, antiarrhythmic treatment and anticoagulation are included.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Cardiovascular Agents; Electric Countershock; Female; Heart Conduction System; Heart Rate; Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Male; Perioperative Care; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Premedication; Risk Factors; Thrombophilia

Approximately one in four ischemic strokes is of cardioembolic origin. Non-valvular atrial fibrillation accounts for 50% of these cases, followed by myocardial infarction, intraventricular thrombus, valvular heart disease and a miscellany of causes. The incidence of embolic heart disease in the population could be about 30 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, and its prevalence between 5 and 10 cases per 1,000 persons aged 65 years or older. Hospital mortality is high, and 5-year survival is only one out of every five patients. The recurrence rate of this type of stroke is about 12% at 3 months, higher than that of non-cardioembolic stroke. The severity of cardioembolic strokes and the resulting disability are greater than with non-cardioembolic stroke. Age, a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure play a role in stroke with atrial fibrillation as additional risk factors for future embolisms. Stroke rates can reach over 20% per year and therefore the prevention and treatment of these events are of paramount importance.

Topics: Age Distribution; Atrial Fibrillation; Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Ischemia; Cardiovascular Agents; Comorbidity; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Heart Valve Diseases; Humans; Hypertension; Intracranial Embolism; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Prevalence; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Survival Rate; Thrombophilia

Morbidities related to atherosclerosis, such as acute coronary syndromes (ACS) including unstable angina and myocardial infarction, remain leading causes of mortality. Unstable plaques are inflamed and infiltrated with macrophages and T lymphocytes. Activated dendritic cells interact with T cells, yielding predominantly Th1 responses involving interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), while the role of interleukin 17 (IL-17) is questionable. The expansion of CD28nullCD4 or CD8 T cells as well as pattern recognition receptors activation (especially Toll-like receptors; TLR2 and TLR4) is characteristic for unstable plaque. Inflammation modifies platelet and fibrin clot characteristics, which are critical for ACS. Understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms of atherothrombosis, bridging inflammation, oxidative stress and immune regulation, will allow for the detection of subjects at risk, through the use of novel biomarkers and imaging techniques including intravascular ultrasound, molecular targeting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Moreover, understanding the specific inflammatory pathways of plaque rupture and atherothrombosis may allow for immunomodulation of ACS. Statins and anti-platelet drugs are anti-inflammatory, but importance of immune events in ACS warrants the introduction of novel, specific treatments directed either on cytokines, TLRs or inflammasomes. While the prime time for the introduction of immunologically inspired diagnostic tests and treatments for atherosclerosis have not come yet, we are closer than ever before to finally being able to benefit from this vast body of experimental and clinical evidence. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the role of the immune system and inflammation in ACS.

Topics: Acute Coronary Syndrome; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Atherosclerosis; Autoimmune Diseases; Bacterial Infections; Cardiovascular Agents; Cytokines; Dendritic Cells; Diagnostic Imaging; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Inflammasomes; Inflammation; Macrophages; Mast Cells; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury; Oxidative Stress; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Receptors, Pattern Recognition; Rupture, Spontaneous; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; Thrombophilia

An understanding of onco-cardiology or cardio-oncology is critical for the effective care of cancer patients. Virtually all antineoplastic agents are associated with cardiotoxicity, which can be divided into 5 categories: direct cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy and associated cardiac systolic dysfunction, cardiac ischemia, arrhythmias, pericarditis, and chemotherapy-induced repolarization abnormalities. Radiation therapy can also lead to coronary artery disease and fibrotic changes to the valves, pericardium, and myocardium. All patients being considered for chemotherapy, especially those who have prior cardiac history, should undergo detailed cardiovascular evaluation to optimize the treatment. Serial assessment of left ventricular systolic function and cardiac biomarkers might also be considered in selected patient populations. Cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy might be decreased by the concurrent use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or beta-blockers. Antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy might be considered in patients with a potential hypercoagulable state associated with chemotherapy or cancer. Open dialogue between both cardiologists and oncologists will be required for optimal patient care.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Antineoplastic Agents; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Agents; Cooperative Behavior; Heart Diseases; Heart Function Tests; Humans; Medical Oncology; Patient Care Team; Predictive Value of Tests; Radiation Injuries; Thrombophilia

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Algorithms; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Benzodiazepines; Cardiovascular Agents; Chest Pain; Cocaine; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Combined Modality Therapy; Coronary Circulation; Diagnostic Imaging; Disease Management; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Smoking; Sympathomimetics; Thrombophilia; Vasoconstrictor Agents

The difference between left atrial (LA) and systemic coagulation activity in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is unclear.. We enrolled 100 patients with PAF who underwent AF ablation. Warfarin was stopped 1 day before the procedure. LA volume index and LA emptying fraction were measured by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography. Immediately after transseptal puncture, blood samples were simultaneously collected from the LA and systemic circulation (SC). In addition, to evaluate the effect of warfarin on D-dimer levels we recruited an additional 27 PAF patients on continuous warfarin. Even in patients with low CHADS2 scores (mean 0.59 ± 0.68) and during sinus rhythm, the prevalence of positive LA-D-dimer (≥ 0.5 µg/ml) was greater than that of SC-D-dimer (23% vs. 10%, P<0.01). The LA-D-dimer-positive patients had a larger mean LA volume index and reduced LA emptying fraction than the LA-D-dimer-negative patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that LA volume index was independently correlated with positive LA-D-dimer (odds ratio 2.245, 95% confidence interval 1.194-4.626, P=0.0112). The prevalence of positive LA-D-dimer was significantly lower in patients taking continuous warfarin, than in those on discontinuous warfarin (3.7% vs. 23%, P=0.025).. An enlarged LA volume index was associated with high LA coagulation status in patients with paroxysmal AF. Adequate warfarin control during AF catheter ablation may reduce the prevalence of positive LA-D-dimer.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Blood Coagulation; Cardiovascular Agents; Catheter Ablation; Combined Modality Therapy; Comorbidity; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Heart Atria; Humans; Hypertension; International Normalized Ratio; Male; Middle Aged; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Prothrombin Time; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Thrombophilia; Thrombosis; Ultrasonography; Warfarin

Topics: Aftercare; Anticoagulants; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Combined Modality Therapy; Endovascular Procedures; Extremities; Humans; Ischemia; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Postoperative Complications; Radiography, Interventional; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk; Thrombophilia; Vascular Surgical Procedures

Maternal heart disease during pregnancy is the main cause of obstetric morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a 40-year-old woman with a history of myocardial infarction and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The patient suffered a second heart attack and received pharmacologic treatment. After admission, she was seen to be 29 weeks pregnant. Delivery was by cesarean section under progressive epidural block without complications. We review the medical, obstetric, and anesthetic implications of myocardial infarction during pregnancy. The management of such patients should be multidisciplinary and decisions about delivery should be taken based on obstetric considerations.

Topics: Adult; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Cardiovascular Agents; Cesarean Section; Combined Modality Therapy; Contraindications; Coronary Angiography; Diagnosis, Differential; Elective Surgical Procedures; Ergotamine; Female; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Myocardial Ischemia; Obesity, Morbid; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Pregnancy, High-Risk; Recurrence; Stents; Thrombophilia